Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name	Units	Low Threshold	High Threshold	Sensor Type
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0	50	6600 Series
Salinity	ppt	0	70	6600 Series
Salinity	ppt	0	70	YSI EXOs
Salinity	ppt	0	70	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	YSI EXOs
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature	Degrees C	-5	45	6600 Series
pH	pH	2	14	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
pH	pH	2	14	6600 Series
pH	pH	2	14	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	6600 Series
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0	500	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0	100	6600 Series
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0	200	YSI EXOs
Turbidity	NTU	0	4000	YSI EXOs
Turbidity	NTU	0	1000	6600 Series
Turbidity	NTU	0	4000	Analysis Only - 2022-04-04

Discrete Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name	Units	Low Threshold	High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen	mg/L	0.000001	22
Salinity	ppt	0	70
Water Temperature	Degrees C	3	40
pH		2	13
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation	%	0.000001	310
Specific Conductivity	mS/cm	0.005000001	100
Turbidity	NTU	0	-
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)	mg/L	0	-
Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin	ug/L	0	-
Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin	ug/L	0	-
Secchi Depth	m	0.000001	50
Light Extinction Coefficient	m^1	0	-
Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM	PCU	0	-
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM	QSE	0	-
Total Nitrogen	mg/L	0	-
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN	mg/L	0	-
NO2+3 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
NH4 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
Total Phosphorus	mg/L	0	-
PO4 Filtered	mg/L	0	-
Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrate (N)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrite (N)	mg/L	0	-
Nitrogen, organic	mg/L	0	-

Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 & 2
SEACAR QAQC Description	Include	SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data	No	2Q
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data	No	3Q
Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data	No	4Q
Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data	No	5Q
Within threshold tolerance	Yes	6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter	Yes	7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis
Qualifier Source	Value Qualifier	Include	Description
STORET-WIN	H	No	Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN	J	No	Estimated value
STORET-WIN	V	No	Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN	Y	No

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes
Qualifier Source	Value Qualifier	Include	Description
SWMP	-1	Yes	Optional parameter not collected
SWMP	-2	No	Missing data
SWMP	-3	No	Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP	-4	No	Outside low sensor range
SWMP	-5	No	Outside high sensor range
SWMP	0	Yes	Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP	1	No	Suspect data
SWMP	2	Yes	Reserved for future use
SWMP	3	Yes
SWMP	4	Yes	Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP	5	Yes	Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).

The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Mar-27.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Mar-27.txt

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Chlorophyll-a is monitored as a measure of microalgae growing in the water. Algae are a natural part of coastal and aquatic ecosystems but in excess can cause poor water quality and clarity, and decreased levels of dissolved oxygen.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5028	621	2007	2023
5002	215	2005	2023
513	121	2002	2023
476	115	2008	2023
103	28	2020	2021
303	7	2019	2019

Program names:

5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2002	7					7	100.0
2003	2					2	100.0
2004	2					2	100.0
2005	26					15	57.7
2006	6					6	100.0
2007	34	2	5.9			16	47.1
2008	53	6	11.3			5	9.4
2009	54	7	13.0	4	7.4
2010	68	5	7.3	1	1.5	1	1.5
2011	40	1	2.5			1	2.5
2012	42					6	14.3
2013	43					6	13.9
2014	48	2	4.2	1	2.1	9	18.8
2015	48	4	8.3			8	16.7
2016	53	1	1.9	2	3.8	14	26.4
2017	51	2	3.9
2018	87	10	11.5
2019	110	25	22.7
2020	75	16	21.3
2021	120	25	20.8
2022	76	28	36.8			9	11.8
2023	62	33	53.2			5	8.1

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time ³U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5028	210	2017	2023
476	114	1999	2023
103	65	2001	2022
5002	6	2005	2005
118	2	2001	2005
115	1	2001	2001

Program names:

5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_U	perc_U
1999	6			2	33.3
2001	8			4	50.0
2003	1			1	100.0
2004	2	1	50.0	1	50.0
2005	10	1	10.0	4	40.0
2006	4			4	100.0
2007	11	9	81.8	2	18.2
2008	2	2	100.0
2019	53	1	1.9
2020	41	3	7.3
2021	111	5	4.5
2022	46	8	17.4	1	2.2
2023	31	8	25.8

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
69	4570	1989	2017
5002	3106	1995	2023
95	499	1996	2018
513	261	2020	2023
476	139	2008	2023
103	121	2020	2022
5028	118	2007	2023
303	7	2019	2019
115	5	2001	2001
118	2	2001	2005

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen
Year	N_Total	N_H	perc_H
2008	378	8	2.1

Note: ¹H - Value based on field kit determination

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
513	261	2020	2023
5002	198	2018	2023
5028	121	2007	2023
95	120	2008	2018
476	76	2017	2023
303	5	2019	2019

Program names:

513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

pH - Discrete Water Quality

The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for pH
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
69	4517	1989	2017
5002	2424	1995	2023
95	502	1996	2018
513	261	2020	2023
5028	158	2007	2023
103	136	2020	2022
476	95	2009	2023
115	5	2001	2001

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Salinity
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
69	4608	1989	2017
5002	2263	1995	2017
95	560	1954	2018
513	259	2020	2023
5028	158	2007	2023
476	84	2016	2023
303	7	2019	2019
115	5	2001	2001

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
69	4404	1994	2017
513	145	2020	2023
476	78	2017	2023
103	66	2020	2022
5028	58	2007	2023
5002	19	2005	2005
303	2	2019	2019
115	1	2001	2001

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth
Year	N_Total	N_S	perc_S
2007	328	2	0.6
2008	263	5	1.9
2009	262	7	2.7
2019	18	1	5.6
2021	118	41	34.8
2022	56	28	50.0
2023	82	32	39.0

Note: ¹S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

TN = TKN + NO3O2;
TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
TN = TKN + NO3;
TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

Rules for use of sample fraction:
- FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
- An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
Values inserted into data:
- ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
- SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
- SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
  Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
  
  Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
  
  The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	828	1996	2023
5028	660	2005	2023
476	94	1998	2023
513	14	2018	2023
103	7	2001	2005
303	7	2019	2019
115	1	2001	2001

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen
Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_U	perc_U
1997	12			4	33.3
1998	18			8	44.4
1999	18			1	5.6
2001	54			1	1.9
2004	38	1	2.6
2005	65	2	3.1
2006	60	15	25.0
2007	65	5	7.7	6	9.2
2008	80	1	1.2
2009	82	5	6.1
2011	73	4	5.5
2012	72	1	1.4
2013	72	8	11.1	1	1.4
2014	72	1	1.4

Note: ¹I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit ²U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Phosphorus

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5028	675	2005	2023
5002	221	2005	2023
513	178	2018	2023
476	148	1998	2023
103	77	2001	2022
303	7	2019	2019
115	1	2001	2001

Program names:

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus
Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
1998	1			1	100.0
1999	5			3	60.0
2000	7			5	71.4
2001	5			2	40.0	1	20.0
2002	3					1	33.3
2004	5	2	40.0	2	40.0
2005	30	3	10.0			1	3.3
2006	28	2	7.1
2007	40	12	30.0
2008	52					1	1.9
2009	55	1	1.8
2018	87	2	2.3
2019	99	1	1.0
2020	94	6	6.4	4	4.3
2021	220	6	2.7			54	24.6
2022	119	6	5.0	24	20.2	39	32.8
2023	116	8	6.9			8	6.9

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles suspended in water that exceed 2 microns in size and can be trapped by a filter.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Suspended Solids

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	631	2003	2023
513	225	2003	2023
103	48	2020	2021

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Total Suspended Solids
Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2003	28	15	53.6			8	28.6
2004	38	16	42.1			2	5.3
2005	38	1	2.6
2006	37					1	2.7
2007	40					3	7.5
2008	37			3	8.1	1	2.7
2011	43					6	13.9
2012	42					6	14.3
2013	42					6	14.3
2014	43					7	16.3
2015	7					7	100.0
2016	8					8	100.0
2018	41	2	4.9
2019	38	2	5.3
2020	49	4	8.2			1	2.0
2021	137	4	2.9	3	2.2
2022	86	2	2.3	17	19.8
2023	77	1	1.3			3	3.9

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity results from suspended solids in the water, including silts, clays, tannins, industrial wastes, sewage and plankton, which are all factors that contribute to how clouded or murky a water column is. Turbidity is caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients, pollutants, and physical forces such as winds, currents and bottom feeders.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Turbidity

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Turbidity
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
5002	2501	1995	2023
476	150	1999	2023
513	136	2014	2023
103	49	2005	2022
95	31	2012	2013
303	8	2019	2019

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

Value Qualifiers

N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total

Value Qualifiers for Turbidity
Year	N_Total	N_I	perc_I	N_Q	perc_Q	N_U	perc_U
2000	240			2	0.8
2003	194					1	0.5
2004	152	6	4.0			1	0.7
2006	79	2	2.5
2007	59					1	1.7
2009	91			2	2.2
2010	143			1	0.7
2014	41			1	2.4	1	2.4
2016	7			3	42.9	1	14.3
2018	51	8	15.7			5	9.8
2019	58	5	8.6			15	25.9
2020	53	12	22.6	6	11.3	7	13.2
2021	142	19	13.4	25	17.6	1	0.7
2022	58	14	24.1	11	19.0
2023	95	8	8.4	19	20.0	2	2.1

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water Temperature

The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Water Temperature
ProgramID	N_Data	YearMin	YearMax
69	4616	1989	2017
5002	3079	1995	2023
95	567	1954	2018
513	261	2020	2023
5028	152	2007	2023
103	136	2020	2022
476	83	2017	2023
303	7	2019	2019
115	5	2001	2001

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
5028 - Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves Monthly Water Quality Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_SW-2024-Mar-23.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_SW-2024-Mar-23.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_SW-2024-Mar-23.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_SW-2024-Mar-23.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_SW-2024-Mar-23.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_SW-2024-Mar-23.txt

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Results for All Stations - Water Temperature
Station	N_Data	N_Years	Period of Record	Median	tau	SennIntercept	SennSlope	p
MP2B	572608	18	2005 - 2022	26.2	0.21	25.44	0.06	0.0001
MP1A	574443	18	2005 - 2022	26.4	0.24	25.28	0.06	0.0000
MP3C	483113	15	2009 - 2023	26.7	0.22	25.38	0.06	0.0002

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The data file used is: All_SAV_Parameters-2024-Mar-29.txt

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to plants and plant-like macroalgae species that live entirely underwater. The two primary categories of SAV inhabiting Florida estuaries are benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. They often grow together in dense beds or meadows that carpet the seafloor. Macroalgae include multicellular species of green, red and brown algae that often live attached to the substrate by a holdfast. They tend to grow quickly and can tolerate relatively high nutrient levels, making them a threat to seagrasses and other benthic habitats in areas with poor water quality. In contrast, seagrasses are grass-like, vascular, flowering plants that are attached to the seafloor by extensive root systems. Seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, including protected bays and lagoons as well as deeper offshore waters on the continental shelf. Seagrasses have taken advantage of the broad, shallow shelf and clear water to produce two of the most extensive seagrass beds anywhere in continental North America.

Parameters

Percent Cover measures the fraction of an area of seafloor that is covered by SAV, usually estimated by evaluating multiple small areas of seafloor. Percent cover is often estimated for total SAV, individual types of vegetation (seagrass, attached algae, drift algae) and individual species.

Frequency of Occurrence was calculated as the number of times a taxon was observed in a year divided by the number of sampling events, multiplied by 100. Analysis is conducted at the quadrat level and is inclusive of all quadrats (i.e., quadrats evaluated using Braun-Blanquet, modified Braun-Blanquet, and percent cover.”

Species

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is the largest of the Florida seagrasses, with longer, thicker blades and deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It is considered a climax seagrass species.

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It can often tolerate larger salinity ranges than other seagrass species. Shoal grass is characterized by thin, flat blades, that are narrower than turtle grass blades.

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) is easily recognizable because its leaves are thin and cylindrical instead of the flat, ribbon-like form shared by many other seagrass species. The leaves can grow up to half a meter in length. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida’s estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the east coast. This species resembles shoal grass in certain environments but can be identified by the pointed tips of its leaves.

Three species of Halophila spp. are found in Florida - Star grass (Halophila engelmannii), Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses than other Florida species and are considered ephemeral. They grow along a single long rhizome, with short blades. These species are not well-studied, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles.

Notes

Star grass, Paddle grass, and Johnson’s seagrass will be grouped together and listed as Halophila spp. in the following managed areas. This is because several surveys did not specify to the species level:

Banana River Aquatic Preserve
Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve
Indian River-Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce Aquatic Preserve
Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve
Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve
Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve
Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

SAV - Temporal Scope
Maps showing the temporal scope of SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve by Program name.

Sampling locations by Program:

$SAV - Sampling Map$
Map showing SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. The point size reflects the number of samples at a given sampling site.

Charlotte Harbor Seagrass Monitoring - *Program 570*
N_Data	YearMin	YearMax	Collection Method	Sample Locations
1665	2000	2022	Braun Blanquet	4

SAV
Median percent cover by species in Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Linear mixed-effects models are applied to each species to produce species trends. The trendlines are then isolated and reproduced below for ease of viewing. The LME results are available in table form beneath the supplemental trendplot below.
SAV

SAV

SAV
Generalized additive models for each species in Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve. Species must have at least 10 years of data to be evaluated.

Drift algae, Total seagrass, Attached algae, No grass in Quadrat, and Total SAV are excluded from the analyses.

Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve

SEACAR Habitat Analyses

Last compiled on 08 April, 2024

Threshold Filtering

Value Qualifiers

Water Column

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Water Quality - Discrete

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

pH - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Water Quality - Continuous

Dissolved Oxygen - Continuous Water Quality

MP2B

MP1A

MP3C

All Stations Combined

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Continuous Water Quality

MP2B

MP1A

MP3C

All Stations Combined

pH - Continuous Water Quality

MP1A

MP2B

MP3C

All Stations Combined

Salinity - Continuous Water Quality

MP2B

MP1A

MP3C

All Stations Combined

Turbidity - Continuous Water Quality

MP2B

MP1A

MP3C

All Stations Combined

Water Temperature - Continuous Water Quality

MP2B

MP1A

MP3C

All Stations Combined

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

Parameters

Species

Notes